The 34th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Secret Wars Part 1

If you were to google the words Secret Wars, you'd be presented with a whole host of results ranging from Secret Wars (2015), Spider-Man and the Secret wars, Secret War, Secret Wars II and more but for this edition of the broadcast, I'm talking about the big one from the year 1984, I'm talking about Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars or better known to comic book lovers as just SECRET WARS!

Welcome to the 34th Co(s)mic Comic book Broadcast: Secret Wars Part 1 of 3.  These days ask any comic book fan about Secret Wars and you'd probably get this answer:

The 2015 Secret Wars.  Take a look at that Alex Ross cover, that's a beauty. Alex Ross also did the cover for Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars TPB as well.  I've only read this one issue, actually I quickly glanced through it, I usually like to read the entire series (if I can) so far only 2 issues of Secret Wars have been released.  For this edition of the broadcast, I wanted to share with you a little bit about an earlier Limited Series called Secret Wars, I first found out about this unique concept (well, I was fascinated by the term Limited Series which was magical to me at the time)which was a 12 issue Limited Series featuring all my favorite Super Heroes on one side and Marvel Comics' Villains on one side.  It was a battle royal.  I was chomping at the bit to get them but the time I found out about this series, it was already well underway.  How did I find out about this series, it was through Marvel's House Ads, like this one:

At the time, the Internet was I believe still a myth or maybe it was in it's infancy.  So the only way to be "in the know" about comics was through House Ads and also through this:

Those days, you found out what was new and cool through Marvel's Bullpen Bulletins and the Hype Box.  It was thanks to all this that I first saw a cover to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.  I knew at that moment that I wanted that series.  Well as luck would have it, I never got to read a single issue of Secret Wars.  I would ask around the book shops or news paper vendors but I would always get the same look and answer: "Huh????"  I just about gave up.  I guess looking back now Secret Wars was my first ever Holy Grail Item. Oh, how I wanted to read Secret Wars but I never did.  I thought that was it, I would never get to own the set or even to read it, until one faithful day.

Here's a copy of Marvel's Hype Box Hyping the Secret Wars Limited Series. 

A few years later, my dad took us on a vacation to Singapore, it had been a while since I went on a vacation.  While everyone else in the family was thinking about a vacation, I thought of Comic Books Shops, real honest to god Comic Books Shops, specialty Comic Book Shops.  I saved up what I could and I found such shop in Singapore.  I was a wide eyed, jaw to the floor little boy looking at the comics hanging on the wall, comics to the left, comics to the right, comics everywhere.  Well after what seemed like an eternity, I picked my jaw up off the ground and uttered my first words to the owner (who must have thought.....who knew what he thought), I said Secret Wars?

The Owner responded: "Ahh I have just the thing for you." and he came back with this:

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars # 12.....I was like wait, there are 12 issues, where's Issue 1 to 11.  The owner said Secret Wars has been sold out for months now but he does have this one available.  He goes on to tell me that it's the original Issue # 12.  Original?? I guess he meant first printing of this issue.  The condition was near mint (not for long), well I bought it just like that. So for the entire vacation I just ate, slept and read issue # 12 of Secret Wars.  I know, it's really odd to read the conclusion of this series but hey, I couldn't get the other 11 issues.

(If and that's a big IF, if you haven't read this series before, SPOILERS coming up) In issue # 12, I read that the heroes were dead and Doom tries to contain the power of the Beyonder. The villains, heading back to Earth, begin to squabble. Klaw manipulates Doom to resurrect the heroes. The Beyonder, sucks his power back out of Doom. Doom, Klaw and Ultron disappear. The heroes return changed to earth. Spider-Many with a black alien costume. Curt Connors cured of the Lizard. Hulk has a busted leg. Colossus has lost love, Zsaji. The X-Men get new costumes. Lockheed returns with another dragon. Captain America's shield is restored. She-Hulk joins the Fantastic Four when The Thing remains on Battleworld.

Pretty soon that Near Mint issue became Fine.  I can't recall just how many times I read that issue.  The artwork by Mike Zeck fascinated me to no end, I loved his artwork inked by John Beatty.  I also noticed that some of the ink work seemed different from page to page.  I later found out that John Beatty had help in the inking department for this issue, help from a gentleman named ARTHUR ADAMS.  You might have heard of him. Wow.  

This issue had just about everything in it for me, battles, excitement, great story and of course great artwork.  Reading the conclusion of Secret Wars only fueled my desire to get the other 11 issues and after a few years, I finally had a chance to buy my own copy, my own set of Secret Wars.

I ordered the complete set of Marvel Super Hero Secret Wars and this is of course Issue # 1.  Just look at that cover.  Mike Zeck and John Beatty did a great job on this cover.  I loved it the moment I took it out of the packaging.  Those days comics from overseas were shipped via SEA MAIL which would take anything from 6 months to a year almost.  The waiting was the worst part, it was agony.  When I got this issue, I read it right away and for the next few weeks my life was consumed by this series.

Issue # 1 was the stuff of legends, our cast of heroes and villains each find themselves in their respective gigantic space ships trying to figure out how they got there and what is going on; They witness the end of a galaxy and the creation of Battleworld; Ultron attacks the other baddies and is snuffed out by Galactus; The voice of the otherworldy Beyonder tells them that their goal is to defeat their enemies and their wildest dreams will come true; Galactus and Doom immediately fly off to confront the Beyonder but are repulsed as if they were no more than gnats; The heroes are transported to the planet and immediately turn on Magneto who has been inexplicably counted among their number; They choose Cap to lead them; The villains are also moved to Battleworld and Doom tries to reason with them concerning the Beyonder's wishes; When no one is willing to listen, he flies off to talk to Reed but is shot down by Kang; The heroes reach Doom but mistrust him and get blasted; The rest of the villains arrive and the Secret War begins.

If you thought the cover to Issue # 1 was cool, then take a gander at Issue # 2.  In this issue,  the heroes and villains engage in their first battle of the Secret War and the heroes win and take prisoners; Doom uses the time the villains are engaged to invade their base and revive Ultron to do his bidding; When the remaining villains return, they find Doom waiting and grudgingly agree to let him be their leader; The heroes find a base of their own only to have it invaded by Magneto who makes off with the Wasp; and the last you'd expect to happen, happens. The Thing reverts to his human form, Ben Grimm.

This is Issue # 3 which sports my favorite cover: The Crisis Within, penciled and inked by Mike Zeck. I promised myself to read Secret wars in the correct sequence, so when I saw this cover, you'd better believe I was chomping at the bit to read it but I would not jump from issue to issue, I would read this series in the correct sequence. In this issue, while a storm rages across Battleworld, the Wasp cozies up to her captor, Magneto; The Hulk secretly fears that his intellect is fading; Spidey overhears the X-Men planning to leave and join Magneto and whips the mutants good until Xavier wipes his memory; With their forces dwindled, Doom creates two new allies for the coming war; Thor revives the Enchantress and the two head off to chat; When dawn breaks, the Hulk drops the ball on sentry duty and the heroes are unprepared for an assault on their base by the villains who quickly gain the upper hand.

Then came Issue # 4.  The cover was just awesome.  The cover read: BENEATH ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY BILLION TONS, STAND THE HULK....AND HE'S NOT HAPPY!
It didn't strike me at first but the artwork in issue # 4 was different and after a while I realised the art IS DIFFERENT( Yeah I'm a smart one, took me four to five reads to realize that the penciler had changed) It wasn't Mike Zeck anymore, it was Bob Layton on pencils  but Inks was still by John Beatty.  Still I read this issue and loved it.  Why?

The villains defeat the heroes in battle, rescue their captured comrades and destroy their base; Trying to impress Volcana, Molecule Man drops a mountain range on our heroes; Thor and the Enchantress return from their little chat to find the villains victorious and Thor is attacked; The X-Men join forces with Magneto and the Wasp uses the distraction they provide to escape; The Human Torch and Captain Marvel channel their powers through Iron Man and blast themselves out from under the mountain range; They reunite with Thor and take refuge in an alien village where a local woman heals their wounds; The only problem is that the village is right underneath the gaze of Galactus, and Galactus begins to move.

There are still 8 more issues to go with more action, more intrigue, a new costume, the return of a familiar penciler, romance and stories to fill 8 more issues.  This is going to be the first part of a trilogy on the Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  Drop by again for parts 2 and 3, relive your memories of this great series, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.

I'll be back with part 2 and 3 soon, I hope you'll drop by again.  Until the next broadcast, you take care.

The 33rd Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Mylites to the Rescue Part 3

Welcome to the latest Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast, the 33rd broadcast.  It's good to be back.  Thanks for dropping by.  As the title suggests, I want to share a few more comics I managed to bag and board just the other day.  I said once before that I believe I made a good investment with my recent purchase of some Mylites 2 and Fullbacks.  So far it felt good to be able to bag and board some of my comics.

I have to admit that there are a few other comics that are damaged and maybe beyond repair but I am going to try and bag and board as many as I can.  I featured a few of the issues that are still in good or fine condition.  I'll be posting more of these comics from my collection.  I hope you'll like them.  Okay let's get to the broadcast.

This is Fantastic four #2, the second issue of the Heroes Return 1998 Fantastic Four title.  Now this is the variant edition to Fantastic Four # 2, I featured that issue in the 32nd Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  That edition had Susan Storm on the cover, the art by Alan Davis & Mark Farmer.  This Variant edition has a cover by Carlos Pacheco and Scott Hanna, just for your information Carlos Pacheco drew a few issues of Fantastic Four before the Heroes Reborn storyline and then a few years later Pachecho would take over as regular penciller and co writer of the Fantastic Four.  I love this cover and I'm lucky that this issue is still in great condition.

The cover to The Uncanny X Men 336.  Joe Madureira and Tim Townsend supplied the cover to this issue featuring Onslaught (Professor Charles Xavier) and Franklin Richards.  In this issue, Inside of Onslaught's citadel, Franklin Richards desperately tries to wake Professor X up; Outside, the Avengers, FF and X-Men desperately try to figure out how to find a way in and rescue their loved ones; Joseph confronts Onslaught and is able to pull Xavier free of the villain's chest plate where he is trapped; Unfortunately, this only makes Onslaught stronger and he causes a massive explosion in the heart of New York City.  It was an exciting issue with some great artwork from Joe Madureira and a team of inkers.  I love this issue and I was really happy to see that it's still in great condition as well.  In the bag it goes.

This is a beautiful cover, again the artists for this cover is Joe Madureira and Tim Townsend.  This is a special edition of The Uncanny X Men 320.  This edition of Uncanny X Men 320 is the Gold Logo Giveaway from Wizard Magazine.  There are other variants out there.  I am so happy I didn't sell or swap this issue when I first got it years ago.  In this issue, the road to Age of Apocalypse, the X-Men try to stop a sane and dangerous Legion who now has the power to manipulate time; The team gets zapped back to the past when Legion travels there.  Beautiful comic that looks great with Mylar.  Beautiful.

One of my all time favorite issues of The Uncanny X Men, this is issue # 184.  The beautiful cover is by John Romita Jr and Dan Green featuring Prof. X, Rachel Summer and Selene.  I love John Romita Jr.'s artwork.  He and Dan Green made a great team on this title.  This issue is titled The Past.. Of Future Days where Forge has created a weapon that takes away super-powers; Selene chases a time tripping Rachel right into the X-Men's arms.  A great comic, a classic and a definite keeper.  Really happy that I bought the mylar bags to protect this issue.

Fantastic Four # 274.  I love this title, Fantastic Four was my very first comic book ever.  I started reading comics thanks to an issue of Fantastic Four.  This issue is by Writer/Artist John Byrne.  He supplied this incredible cover featuring the ever Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing.  He is of course Ben Grimm, Rocky Grimm Space Ranger.  In this issue The Thing, Frankenstein's Monster, and a werewolf battle a mad scientist on the Beyonder's World, the story continues in part from Thing #19 and continues in part in Thing #20 and Spidey's black costume escapes from the Fantastic Four HQ.  The Interior art for this issue is by John Byrne and Inks by Al Gordon.

Looking at these comics, I am really pleased with how they look in the mylar bags.  I hoping that these bags will keep these issues in good condition.  I was told that mylars are the top of the line.  This has been fun for me to find these old comics again and bagging and boarding them.  Yeah I don't get out too much.

Thanks for dropping by for the 33rd Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  Before I bring this broadcast to a close, I want to say thank you to the Grand Comic Database.  The GCD is a great place to go for information on comic books, anything you want to know about your favorite comic, you can find out by going to the GCD's website www.comics.org

Thanks again for dropping by, I hope you liked this edition of the broadcast, until next time, take care my friend.

The 32nd Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Mylites to the rescue or Mylites Part 2

If you read my previous broadcast, you would have read about my recent unboxing of a package I received recently with some Mylites2 bags and backing boards I ordered.  A lot of my comics were in terrible shape because I didn't have any bags or boards.  I felt that it was time to get some bags and boards.  I settled on Mylites 2 and Fullbacks from E Gerber.  I was very hesitant at first to buy the bags and boards but I finally bought them when I saw the state of my comics.  And boy let me tell you, it was the best decision I ever made.  The bags and boards are expensive but they were worth every penny.

Welcome to the 32nd Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  I thought I would share a few pics I took of my comics after I bagged and boarded them recently.  I took my time doing it, picking the ones I really wanted to keep and after a few days, I chose these comics.  Okay here we go:

Oh man, the 90's was a great time for comics.  The Age of Apocalypse was upon us and from that era came X Men: Alpha published in February of 1995.  Look at that cover by Joe Madureira.  This issue had a beautiful striking foil wraparound cover.  Joe Mad only did the cover for this issue, the interior art was done by Roger Cruz and Steve Epting.  The comic on its own was already beautiful but when you put it in a mylar bag, well the whole look of the comic just changes and it really pops.

Okay, this is X Men # 45 featuring a beautiful wraparound double-gatefold cover with some special enhancements on the cover, I love those sparkly things.  The cover was done by Andy Kubert and Cam Smith.  In this issue, Rogue and Iceman are on a road trip trying to deal with the things Rogue absorbed from Gambit when she kissed him; Gambit shows up and Rogue decides to leave him and the X-Men for awhile; The connection between Ramey and Mr. Sinister is revealed.  Again the Mylar has done it's work and made this cover pop. Again.

Another X Men Issue, this one is X Men # 50 and thanks to the Mylar, the cover looks magnificent.  This is a  double-sized issue. Gold tinted chrome cover that differs only slightly from the regular issue. The easiest way to tell the limited edition is that the UPC box on the back cover reads "1 of 4500 Copies" rather than having a bar code. The cover is by Andy Kubert and cam Smith, they make a great team, don't they? In this issue four X-Men are transported to another dimension where they are confronted by Onslaught's herald, Post, who tests them in battle for his master's benefit.

This is Fantastic Four #2.  The cover is by writer/artist extraordinaire Alan Davis and Inker extraordinaire Mark Farmer.  I loved this volume of Fantastic Four, this is the Volume after the Heroes Reborn issues, as you can see this is part of Marvel's Heroes Return, I loved how Scott Lobdell scripted this series and what else can I say about the artwork, it was magnificent! In this issue with the Four Freedoms Plaza destroyed, the FF move in to their warehouse on Pier Four; Johnny searches for Lyja in vain; as the FF get settled in their new home, they are attacked by Iconoclast, a villain only Sue can see. Again the mylar did it's work, the colors popped and this just looks beautiful, absolutely beautiful!!

Hahaha, I love this cover and the blurb: Mister Fantastic Goes Ape!  This is Fantastic Four # 3.  In this issue, Reed does research on Iconoclast; Reed battles the Red Ghost's Super-Apes; the Silver Surfer and the Mole Man sense danger; two reporters investigate the monastery where Dr. Doom once sought refuge, to find the monks have all been killed by Crucible.  I wasn't too happy with this issue as it marked the last issue for this creative team on Fantastic Four but the new team was equal to the task.  Look at that cover! It POPS, doesn't it?

I'm glad that I finally made the choice to buy the Mylites 2, imagine if I had waited. Again.  I think I had done that, all these comics would have suffered some sort of damage. I'm lucky, really lucky that I can save these comics.  I'm now thinking about getting more mylites for the rest of my collection.  I'm already planning to get more and digging out more comics to be bagged and boarded.  When I do get around to doing that, I'll talk about it here on the broadcast.

Now before I go, I wanna tell you about a kickstarter project by Kieron Dwyer and Todd Rinker.  The project is called West Portal, The Traumagical Odyssey of Dexter Allen. 

In West Portal, meet Dexter Allen, a man slogging through the middle of his life with a disappointing job, a disintegrated marriage, and a young daughter to whom he can barely relate.   Worse, he's beset by strange visions, finding himself in fictional worlds and interacting with fictional characters -- each more fantastically frustrating than the last.

Explore the blurry lines between fiction and reality and wrestle with the very nature of creation and creativity! Join Dex on his misadventures in West Portal -- the new creator-owned monthly comic series by Kieron Dwyer and Todd Rinker!

To support this new creator owned monthly comic series, go to:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kierondwyer/west-portal

Click on that link and show your support for West Portal, check it out, it's worth your time.   I'll be back with another broadcast soon, thanks for dropping by for the Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast, I'll see you again soon, don't forget to visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kierondwyer/west-portal

Thanks, until next time, take care.

The 31st Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Heartbreak!

I'll bet you're wondering why this edition of the broadcast is called Heartbreak.  Well if you're a comic book collector like me, read on and you'll understand.  You'd better sit down for this one, it's a wordy one. 

There was a time when I had actually stopped collecting comics.  Yeah it's hard for me to even believe that but there were a few years there when I told myself, no more comics, no more buying, no more collecting.  I gave up.  It was a decision I reached because I had other responsibilities in my life which had to come first.  Oh sure I would buy the occasional trade paper back but I gave up on comics almost totally, I didn't follow any of my favorite titles, I just stopped.  A few years before that I saw something that I wanted.  It was the year 2000 and CGC was established.  Now CGC is the first independent, impartial, third-party comic book grading service. A proven and respected commitment to integrity, accuracy, consistency and impartiality has made CGC the leader in its field. In fact, in 2007, CGC crossed the million-book mark and has now graded over 2 million comic books.

I saw comics that were graded 9.2 to 9.8 which meant they were as Mint as they were ever going to get, which to me meant You knew what you were buying with a CGC comic or slabbed comic.  Well at the time there was no specialty comic book shops in town.  The only comic supplier who came along later was a small comic shop called Area 51 but while they carried alot of comics but no slabbed comics.  But by then I had decided it was time to give up this hobby, I quit, telling myself No More Comics!

Once in a while I would see friends who were still collecting and their collections and there they were, slabbed comics, beautiful slabbed comics.  I really wanted them but I had bills to pay and I stood my ground, no more comics.

Fast forward to 2012, I found myself in some trouble health wise.  Scariest moment ever is when you're lying flat on a gurney being taken to an emergency room.  Well, long story short, I made it through that awful period in my life.  While I was recuperating, a good friend of mine came to see me, he knew I read comics and gave me a Trade paper back of Marvel's 1602.  I read it from cover to cover.  There wasn't a whole lot to do in a cold hospital room.  You read and it was then that I started liking reading comics again and I was told by doctors I should have a hobby, something to help me get back on my feet.  The answer came to me just like that, Comic Books. 

So I got back into comics and in a big way.  I went online and went shopping on ebay.  I started out small and bought a few issues but then it hit me, what have I always wanted?  Slabbed Comics, CGC Comics.  So I would bid and bid on any slabbed comics on offer and I got a few but I was new and the veterans on ebay outbidded me but I did find a few I liked and I got them.  The sellers were nice and they helped me out a lot, it was fun.  One day I saw something really nice on ebay, here it is:

It was Fantastic Four # 250, a CGC grading of 9.6 which was a near mint +.  And it had the original CGC label.  I wanted this so bad.  The seller had another comic for sale, this one:

Isn't that beautiful?  The Amazing Spider Man # 214.  Spider Man and The Submariner against the Frightful Four.  A CGC grade of 9.4.  I knew I wanted this.  Growing up I saw the cover to this issue and this was one of the comics I wanted, well finally I would be able to add this to my collection, I made a bid and I won these two CGC Comics.  The seller sent them to me and within two weeks plus, I was asked to collect a package from the US, I was excited and went to get the package. 

Now here's where the heart break part comes in.  Have a look at this.

It was literally heartbreaking to see this.  I contacted the seller, who was sorry this had happened and even offered a refund of some sort.  The seller also swore that the items were in pristine condition when it was packed.  Whenever I buy anything on ebay I would check the ratings and comments about any seller, this seller had a 100 percent rating and no complaints.  Well I went to the post office and made a complaint, I filled out a form and left.

A few days later another package arrived with another CGC comic, one I bought just a few days earlier.  Here's what I bought:

Spider Man # 13.  I bought this because of the cover by Todd McFarlane.  It's a beauty isn't it.  I liked it when I spotted it and bought it from a different seller who also had a 100 percent rating.  Well when this CGC comic arrived, I saw that something was very wrong with it.

Wow, a cracked shell or capsule as CGC calls it.  I was so angry, three CGC comics were damaged and it happened one after the other.  I was besides myself, I was angry.  I went back to the Post office here and got another complaints form to fill.  On my way out, a staff of the office offered this advice: " Next time when you send something, pack it better"  I nearly went nuts! I mean talk about someone who had no idea what they were talking about. This incident already made me very angry with the post office and hearing such words from the staff there was just unacceptable but when I tried to tell her how idiotic her advise was, she ran off. 

I was so angry but I knew I couldn't do anything. Apparently burning the place down wasn't going to work and the Post office here loves paper work and red tape.  I still have these CGC comics but I was told that If the seal has been broken, then the grade has become invalidated.I think this is more than just a broken seal.  I am still going to hang on to them but I was so disappointed in the whole thing and how utterly unprofessional the Post office here can be.  In the past they have flung packages over gates and the contents of the packages....well, let's say that it wasn't good.

My friend's have said that I should send them back to be reevaluated and then have them re-slabbed.  Don't know if I can afford that but I'll think about it, see if it's something that's plausible sometime in the future.  Right now I'm just going to keep these.  Just wish they were in better condition.  Yeah that's my heart break story.  Has this ever happened to you before?

Tell me about it, you can leave a comment or go to my facebook page, it's facebook.com/thecosmiccomicbookbroadcast/ leave me a story there and I'll share it on the broadcast.
Thanks for dropping by and I hope you'll drop by again for the next Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast. Until next time, you take care.

The 30th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: A mini milestone for the Comic Book Broadcaster.

Wow, the 30th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  This is sort of a milestone for me, albeit a small one.  When I first started doing this blog, I wondered to myself whether I could keep this going.  I told myself that if I couldn't keep this blog going, then it wouldn't make any sense for me to start.  Well, start I did and we're now at the 30th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.

For those of you who are comic book fans and collectors like me, thanks for dropping by and having a look at what I share with you each time.  I just want to share some of the ups and downs I went through as a comic book collector, the highs and lows and believe me there have been a lot.  Most importantly I wanted to share what I have, what I collected and have enjoyed over the years and if I get to learn something, then so much the better.  I thank you for reading my thoughts and comments about my passion, my hobby and I hope you'll keep coming back.  And if you want to follow the broadcast, it wouldn't be a bad thing.  In fact I'd be a happy camper...err collector.

Okay, so what do I have for you this time around, I've found some more gems in my collection, comics that I forget I had.  Looking at them now, I wondered how I got them, who I bought them from, all sorts of questions going thru my mind.  Okay let's start with this gem.

Okay, does anyone remember this title?  Well, as the title reads, this is Charlemagne # 1 published by Defiant Comics in 1994, if memory serves it was released in February of 1994.  The cover was drawn by Adam Pollina.  Not sure who did the colours for the cover, was it Pollina as well?  I'm not too sure.  Charlemagne had a big group of writers and plotters behind it, Jim Shooter (Plot); Philip Nutman (Plot); Adam Pollina (Plot); Deborah Purcell (Plot); D. G. Chichester (Plot; Script) 6 co plotters and 1 scripter.  Adam Pollina also served as penciller and Mike Whiterby as Inker.  The colours were done by Oclair Alberto Silverio who was credited as painter.  if you have read this issue then you would have seen the unique coloring style of Charlemagne.  This series lasted for 5 issues before Defiant ceased publication, the last issue was released in July of 1994. 

Defiant was founded in the wake of Jim Shooter's departure from Valiant. After attempting, unsuccessfully, to retain his partial ownership of Valiant Comics' parent company.  Shooter then founded a new company that included some Valiant artists and writers.

What else did I find, have a look at this:

This is Star Slammers Special released in June of 1996.  When I bought this I was trying to widen my horizon by branching out to other publishers, independents and so on.  I tried Dark Horse, Defiant and Valiant just to name a few.  The Star Slammer special contains a story continued from Star Slammers #4 (Malibu, 1994 series). This was originally intended to be issue #5 of Star Slammers (Malibu, 1994 series).  We all know what happened to Malibu and also their line of comics which had their own following.  The reason I bough this comic?  The answer is Walter Simonson.  Love his artwork and I am a fan of his from his Thor days.  I like his artwork and Star Slammers was a sort of science fiction story, something I wanted to try.  The issue still looks good, definitely a gem I will keep.

That's Turok Dinosaur Hunter # 0 from Valiant.  released in November of 1995, this issue has a wrap around cover which was drawn by Rags Morales.  I think the main attraction for me was the artwork of Rags Morales, yes I am a big fan of his work from his Valiant days to his work on Hawkman.  Issue 0 tells the story of Turok's people, and how Turok and Andar wandered into the Lost Land, and their journey there until the time of Unity.  Written by Tim Truman, Pencils and Inks by Rags Morales.  This comic was from a time when all of Valiant's comics were hot stuff.  They were flying off the shelf, they had some great characters and their talents?  Wow, Barry Windsor Smith, Joe Quesada, Bernard Chang and of course Rags Morales.  Valiant could do now wrong.  At the time.  Fortunately these days Valint is flying high once again with some really excellent comics.
Here's another gem I found from a company that no longer exists.

That's a beautiful cover from Prime Annual # 1: Gross and Disgusting.  What a title huh?  But that is a beautiful cover by Boris Vallejo who did pencils, inks and colors.  Beautiful.  Gross and Disgusting was written by Gerard Jones together with Len Strazewski.  Norm Breyfogle supplied the pencils and inks.  (By the way Norm Breyfogle suffered a stroke a while back.  I hope he's recovering and getting better, all the best Mr. Breyfogle)  Prime kind of reminds me of Shazam, Captain Marvel from DC Comics.  Similar concept, different method. Prime was created by Bob Jacob, Gerard Jones,
Len Strazewski and Norm Breyfogle.  He debuted in Malibu Comics' Prime #1.  He was also a member of Ultraforce, all published under Malibu's Ultraverse imprint.  Back in 2002, it was announced that a Prime movie was in the works, well it's 2015, so I'm kinda sorta thinking that the Prime movie MIGHT not be coming soon :)

What else did I find, well, take a gander at this:

Recognize this?  This is X-O Manowar Vol 2, Issue 2.  This issue was written by
Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, Sean Chen provided the pencils and Tom Ryder supplied the inks.  I really liked and enjoyed this version of X-O Manowar.  I remember I was a little disappointed I couldn't get issue 1 and I dropped this title a few issues after Sean Chen left as penciller.   I never did find out if this X-O Manowar armor had anything to do with the first X-O armor worn by Aric Dacia.  I had followed the original X-O title right up until their Birthquake event.  I really liked this version of the X-O armor but I do believe this title didn't last too long much like the other new Valiant titles which was sad, I believe they really tried but something was lacking.  The condition of this comics is fine, better than I had hoped.  So yeah I'm going to keep this one and the rest as well.

Sometimes it's a real trip down  memory lane when you come across something that takes you back.  Having the chance to read these issue in particular was fun.  I enjoyed them.  Now the task for me is to bag and board them properly.  I've got a lot to do but man it's going to be fun reading these gems before they go in the bag.  

Hey thanks for dropping by, I hope you liked the comics I'm shared with you, drop by again for more.  Remember if you like, you can follow this blog on blogspot.com or you can also go to my facebook page.  It's www.facebook.com/thecosmiccomicbookbroadcast/ stop by anytime, you're always welcome here.  Until next time, take care.

The 29th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Yo Joe!!!

I remember that battle cry from the G.I. Joe Cartoons I used to watch when i was a kid (well I'm still a kid at heart).  Yeah G.I. Joe, what a comic book series that was.  I didn't realize this but growing up with the cartoons and all I was a big big fan of G.I. Joe, how did i come to this conclusion?  Well, I discovered I bought a lot of G.I. Joe comics over the years.  This was from a time when Marvel Comics were publishing G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero.

Thanks for dropping by for the Real American Hero....wait no, ahh The 29th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  Follow me as I take you down memory lane to relive our childhood.  I can't remember how or what attracted me to G.I. Joe, it's a mystery to me still as I type away remembering the comics I read growing up.  Was it because growing up I watched a lot of old TV series like Combat, Black Sheep Squadron and the like.  I guess when you're a kid growing up, you don't really know anything about the ugly nature of war, just that there was a good side and the bad side, Good versus Evil.  That sort of thing.

Well G.I. Joe was that to me and I loved it.  I have a few of the G.I. Joe comics I bought many many years ago, let's have a look at some of them okay?

This is my first ever issue of G.I. Joe A Real American Hero # 8.  The cover is by Mike Vosburg and Jack Abel.  For some reason the bookstore, one of only two bookstores that carried comics back in the day had just copies and copies of this issue.  Every week I go and check out what they have and this issue was the only one they had, it was as if they were producing this issue themselves.  Issue 8 featured Scripts and Art by the Late Herb Trimpe.  This was surprising to me because I always thought Larry Hama was the writer but I guess he needed a break.

 I'm jumping ahead a lot of issues now to G.I. Joe # 44, now this issue features a nice cover by mike Zeck and John Beatty.  The issue was written by Larry Hama, pencils by Rod Wingham and Inks by Andy Mushynsky.  In this issue a group of new Joes and Lady Jaye are on training maneuvers when they are captured by Cobra using experimental plant spores, and Cobra's new ally, Dr. Mindbender wishes to test them vs. his new weapon and the B.A.T.S. in an abandoned junkyard. The new Joes turn the tables, however, and Lady Jaye tells them they passed their test vs. Cobra with flying colors.  I remember reading this issue over and over and over which is why this issue is in okay condition, the only thing I can't stand is the price tag.  It's still stuck to the cover, oh well.

Issue 45 is one of my all time favorites.  This issues features yet another great Mike Zeck/John Beatty cover, story wise, Ripcord disobeys orders and parachutes onto Cobra Island looking for info on the missing Candy, and in a fight with Zartan, Ripcord is wounded, with Zartan taking his place to fool the Joes who have been sent to retrieve him. This issue features one of the best fight sequences I have ever seen, tense and exciting, Larry Hama crafted a great story but wait there's more.  Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes learn that Zartan killed The Hard Master and head to Cobra Island for revenge as Hawk is made Commander In Chief of the G.I. Joe team due to Austin stepping down after his heart attack.  What a great comic book!!  If you thought this issue was exciting, than take a look at this next one!!

 G.I. Joe # 46.  This issue looks to be in great condition I think.  If it looks glossy to you it's because I used some left over plastic I used to wrap my school text books and I wrapped this issue so it wouldn't be damaged, it looks like it's in fine condition, yeah I think fine is a better description, Fine.
The excitement continues in this issue where Ripcord (as Zartan) is taken into the new Cobra base on Cobra Island, and Professor Appel discovers the deception when he sees Candy's picture on his person and Ripcord explains to him about where Candy is (or isn't right now). The Joes, meanwhile, launch a recon/search and rescue for Ripcord, then rescue him (actually Zartan), but Spirit's suspicious of him when he notices the bullet wound's all wrong on his person. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow land on the island about to get whom they think is Zartan (the Hard Master's killer), when Appel launches the experimental new minifighter, saving Ripcord from harm. This covers also features Mike Zeck's pencils and Inks as well.  Beautiful cover huh?   

Another beautiful cover from Mike Zeck who also did the inking for this cover, G.I. Joe # 47. In this issue the Joes launch a sea assault to rescue the recon team on Cobra Island, as the Baroness fatally shoots Storm Shadow as he aids Snake-Eyes in his escape. Zartan (as Ripcord), is drugged and flown back to the Pit for medical aid, and Doc notices something strange when he sees Zartan's holographic disguise disappear for a second due to the drugs at the Pit. Ripcord (as Zartan), lands at Springfield airport, tended to by the unsuspecting Dreadnoks. 

I remember reading as many issue of G.I. Joe I could get.  Each month Larry Hama would put the Joes up against Cobra and somehow even though the Joes would win, Cobra Commander and his squad would get away some how.  The stories were intense, gripping and enjoyable.  I loved this series but eventually some drastic artistic changes were made later and those changes were not for me so I dropped G.I. Joe.  

A few years ago 80's favorites like G.I. Joe and Transformers saw a rise in popularity again, everyone who enjoyed the stories they read in these pages relived them with new issues, new stories, new characters and new battles to fight.  I'll have more of G.I. Joe to share with you next time.  I hope you enjoyed the broadcast.

Oh hey before I go, I want to give a big shout out to the fine folks at  collectorsden.co.uk   If you're a collector like me, then I invite you to visit their website or follow them on twitter  Collectors Den ‏@collectorsdenuk  You can share your collection if you want, go on visit them and have a look at what they have for you as well.  Thank you guys!

Before I forget, if you have the time, check out www.facebook.com/thecosmiccomicbookbroadcast/
you could maybe like the page and maybe follow me on blogspot as well, or not. heh heh

Until the next Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast and that's going to be the 30th Broadcast(!!) you take care, remember you're always welcome here and oh yeah YO JOE!!!!!  

The 28th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast: Mylites!!!

Hi, Welcome to the 28th Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast.  Wow, it feels like I've been away for ages.  It's been a while since I updated the broadcast, I was busy the past week and a half (I think) with a little side project.  I promised a friend I'd like help out and I did.  That took me away from the broadcast but I am back!!
Okay if you recall, I posted in my earlier broadcast that I finally decided to bite the bullet and get some plastic bags and backing boards for my comics.  I did, I went online and asked a bunch of questions and finally found a supplier.  I asked around a lot and didn't get too any answers, for a while there I had given up but seeing the state of some of my comics, I decided that I had to do something.  Well while I was busy with my project, the mail man came a knocking.  Here's what I got in the mail.

 I was so excited to see this package.  A friend of mine said that he has never seen someone so excited over some plastic bags and backing boards.  Well, I was excited and when I saw the box, I was a little scared too.  I didn't like the bumps and bruises all over the box.  I've known the mail man here to be a little "rough" (that's putting it lightly) with my packages.  I remember a few packages that were damaged inside and outside, more on that story next time.  Well, the package came and I was worried seeing the condition of the box.

So as you can see, I decided to go with E Gerber.  I went on Youtube and google and just about everywhere else.  Two names came up, Mylites and Polybags.  Well, after a lot of thinking, I decided to go with Mylites.  I contacted E Gerber and they directed me to a guy who sells them.  We struck a deal and he sent them.  I promised to do an unboxing when the Mylites came, okay here we go.

The Mylites 2 in my hands...err hand.  Mylites are supposed to be the best.  They're used by the Library of Congress, hey that's a good sales point for me, Okay they're in good condition.  Now the backing boards, did they survive the journey?  Let's see.

Yep, they look good, I was worried that the edges of the boards would be damaged.  The condition of the box really had me worried.  Yeah I'm a comic book geek, everything has to be in mint condition.  Let's have a closer look.

 The fullbacks are good.  They're all in good condition.  All in all I bought 200 Mylites 2 and 200 fullbacks.  While I was doing my "research" I found out that not all backing boards are acid free which explains what happens to a lot of comics even though they're kept in bags with boards.  I'm hoping the Mylites and Fullbacks can do the job.  So, wanna see some of my comics in the Mylites?  Okay.

That's Fantastic Four # 2.  Remember Heroes Return, this is the beautiful cover to issue #2 , I've had this for a while without any bags or boards, so this was one of the comics I bagged and boarded almost immediately.  Being a big fan of Alan Davis and Mark Farmer's art in Fantastic Four, I knew I wanted to keep this one.  One thing I noticed is that one the comics is in the bag, the colors almost immediately become more vibrant, it pops and it just becomes even more beautiful, can't explain it.  I like how the cover looks so much better.  I feel better knowing some of my comics are now bagged and boarded. 

Here's Fantastic Four # 500.  This is one of my most prized comics.  This is part of the great run by Mark Waid, the late Mike Wieringo and Karl Kesel.  Just look at that cover by Mike Weiringo.  Before I placed it in the bag, the cover already looks like a million bucks and now that it's in a mylar bag, it just looks so striking, my picture just doesn't do it justice.  It is that impressive.  This is the Director's Cut, so the cover was special, it was a special cardboard metallic-foil enhanced cover which really pops with the mylar bag.  the art work by Mike Weiringo and Karl Kesel, the colors by Richard Isanove is really striking.  I love looking at this one. 

I am so glad that I decided to buy the Mylites 2 and the Fullbacks.

I was apprehensive at first but I came to the realization that if you love your hobby as in you love what you're collecting, why not spend a bit more and keep them in good condition.  I mean if you spent a lot of time and effort and money buying these comics, it makes sense to keep them in good condition.

Will I get more Mylites, I think I will but after I pay off this batch first.  I've already used up about 100 of the bags and boards.  I'm picking out the best ones to be bagged and boarded.  It's a lot of work and I intend to share more pics in future on the broadcast.

Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read what i have to share.  If you have any experiences like mine, share them with me here or you can go to my facebook page, just go to www.facebook.com/thecosmiccomicbookbroadcast/

Drop by again for more talk about comics.  Remember drop by any time, you're always welcome here at the Co(s)mic Comic Book Broadcast!